Coolest hotels in Tokyo for an unforgettable stay in the bustling capital

You’ll indulge in all things sustainable when you stay at boutique hotel Trunk. In the heart of stylish Shibuya, this ultra-cool ecological abode has 15 uniquely designed guest rooms that are as fashionable as the surrounding neighbourhood. The ethos here is refreshing, too – the hotel is centred around ideas of positive social contribution, with local creations and technologies woven into every sleek space.

Set down your bags in a standard balcony room where an airy terrace will beckon you outdoors. You can enjoy relaxed mornings sipping fragrant green tea in a lace hammock, or venture down to the hotel’s main restaurant for nut-speckled granola. If you’re lucky enough to visit during cherry blossom season, walk nine minutes to leafy Yoyogi Park and meander through the blush-pink sakura trees. Stop at the observation deck to gaze out over the rustling forest and breathe in the quiet atmosphere.

The hotel offers its own unique activities; you can hang out with a sumo wrestler, or have a meal with a local family. After a truly memorable day, seek out the hotel’s Japanese soul food spot for dinner and sample traditional skewered meats reminiscent of bygone Tokyo. Alternatively, tuck into contemporary favourites such as sugary dango (plump little dumplings) and fried veggie ramen – make sure to slurp!

Capsule hotels are famous for being funky, and First Cabin Atagoyama could easily be one of the coolest in Tokyo. With guest spaces that are compact but perfectly formed, this hotel offers city-centre accommodation that is simultaneously novel, affordable and downright cosy.

Check into your individual pod and survey the sleek interiors that – as the hotel’s name suggests – resemble a first-class aeroplane cabin. With free Wi-Fi and complimentary extras such as silky facial cleansers and lotions, you can pamper yourself as you catch up with the world online.

You’re just a few minutes’ walk from Onarimon station, so you can use this hotel as a base to explore the buzzing city. Most of Tokyo is easily accessible via public transport, so be sure to check out the vertiginous Tokyo Tower, pay your respects at Meiji Jingu shrine and catch the lively tuna auction at the renowned Tsukiji Fish Market.

When hunger strikes, you can wander down to the hotel’s Cafe & Bar 15. Prepare for the day with a bountiful buffet, or call in at lunch to wash down freshly baked pizza with a glass or two of sake. Later on, ease into the evening with a gentle stroll around nearby Hamarikyu Gardens. You can admire the mirror-like Shioiri Pond before retiring to the hotel for a well-earned snooze.

If upscale digs are your thing, then set your sights on Hotel Shinjuku Granbell. You’ll feel hip in the sleek and minimalist rooms, where designer spaces come with views over Tokyo’s glittering Kabukichō district. Enjoy a laidback brunch in your luxury loft with vaulted ceilings, sleek wooden floors and private outdoor space where a comfy sofa awaits.

There’s a big focus on Japanese art here, and you can find unique pieces from emerging Asian artists in the Art Lounge. Take time to browse the colourful works before making a 20-minute metro journey to Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery for a further dose of visual culture. You can stop off at the Kabukichō gate on your way back for a prime photo opportunity, then swing by the hotel’s ambient Live Cafe G for a pre-dinner aperitif.

If you’re up for a lively evening, hit the rooftop bar for cocktails and to catch the Shinjuku sunset. If you’d rather just relax, you need only go as far as your own private ensuite. After soaking with designer bath products, you can rest up for the next day with a movie marathon – more than 120 flicks are available via video on demand. Use the in-room tea-making facilities to concoct a cosy bedtime brew.

Prepare to be dazzled by 5-star glitz at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Housed in Tokyo’s tallest building, this hotel is at the centre of affluent Roppongi and boasts grand views over the city.

Eager for high-end cuisine? You should check out the hotel’s Michelin-starred French restaurant, Azure 45. Then if you’re keen for some chilled-out spa time, drop by the vast wellness centre. With the two-hour Sakura treatment, you can look forward to a decadent massage using rose quartz crystals. You might just feel like you’re floating above the clouds – much like the private guest suites, all located on the building’s top nine floors.

After a busy day exploring the Imperial Palace (just a 30-minute train ride away), call in at the hotel’s La Boutique for delicate handcrafted sweet treats. Later, you can retire to your suite and stretch out across the plush featherbed for a rejuvenating nap. Once refreshed, make your way to The Bar for a ‘Diamonds are Forever’ martini, garnished with a glittering one-carat diamond.

If Roppongi’s nightlife doesn’t tempt you out on the town, you’ll want to get a good night’s sleep. The following day promises onsite activities such as sake tasting and Shorinji Ryu karate. Alternatively, you might explore Harajuku’s colourful street art and cosplay boutiques.

At Hoshinoya Tokyo, you get the chance to experience that world-famous Japanese hospitality. This charming hotel epitomises Eastern style by drawing inspiration from traditional ryokans – Japanese inns equipped with tatami mats, futon-style beds and elegant shoji screens.

Deposit your shoes in a bamboo shoebox and tiptoe barefoot across fawn-coloured floors. Make sure to stop by the communal lounge – or ochanoma – where delicious local confectionaries and seasonal sake are served daily without extra charge.

You’ll be able to walk to many Tokyo attractions, including the Imperial Palace and the city’s fascinating science museum. Alternatively, stay in to enjoy the ample entertainment onsite. You can plunge into an indulgent bath fed by hot spring waters, or treat yourself to a high-end spa treatment like Shiki (‘Young Bamboo’) that uses Japanese plants to soothe and relax tired muscles.

If you’re in the mood for something a little different, the hotel can arrange a variety of unique activities and experiences. You can be a spectator at a sumo training session, take a midtown helicopter flight or enjoy a traditional gagaku performance. However you spend each day, you’ll want to make it back to the hotel in time for dinner where a talented executive chef plates up delicate Nippon cuisine.

The New Otani Hotel has to be seen to be believed. Set in a sweeping Japanese garden that dates back four centuries, this boutique five-star accommodation features everything from a world-class business centre and health club to onsite salons and a shopping arcade. For something extra luxe, treat yourself to a Duke Suite in the Garden Tower for chandelier lighting and views over the hotel’s exquisite grounds.

Splash into the garden pool – the largest in the city centre – or catch a poolside yoga session as the sun rises. Once you’re feeling centred, take the seven-minute walk to Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin. At this revered Buddhist temple, you can discover more of Japan’s culture and become acquainted with the ‘seven lucky gods’.

At mealtimes, you’ll be spoilt for choice with no less than 40 different food and drink outlets across the resort. Keep things light with a sushi lunch at Kyubey, then indulge come nightfall with fried crab claw and scorched rice at Taikan En. Round off the day against a backdrop of DJ music at Sky Bar, where you can sip a handcrafted cocktail as you watch as the Tokyo skyline come to life in a sparkling display of light.